Over 12,000 people from across the region poured into Nantwich on Sunday to enjoy the carnival atmosphere of Reaseheath College’s Family Festival.
The action-packed festival, which offered hundreds of activities and displays to appeal to all ages, attracted our largest ever crowd to date and caused a storm of appreciation on social media.
Messages from families from as far as 90 miles away praised the friendly and professional attitude of staff and students, the range of activities and the organisation of the event, with many saying they were already looking forward to next year’s event.
Headline acts included The Company of Horsemen, who thrilled spectators with a stunt riding show, and Team Extreme, whose BMX stunt riders and skaters gave an exciting performance of acrobatics on wheels. Families also enjoyed meeting Binbot, a four metre high giant robot made from pink wheelie bins!
Visitors took the chance to try tree climbing, operate a digger, test their skills on our high ropes course and have a go at butter making. Other highlights included sheep dog demonstrations, calf shows, horse riding displays, visits to the college zoo, a novelty dog show, a farmers’ market and music and dance acts on the main lawn.
Other activities included tours of Reaseheath’s progressive technical training resources such as its Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology and its European leading Food Centre. Visitors were also able to learn about the college’s current £31 million investment in facilities including a new halls of residence, expansion to the Sports Science and Performance Academy and an Advanced Agricultural Technology and Engineering Centre.
Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David said: “Our annual festival continues to amaze all that attend and this was Reaseheath at its very best. Our Family Festival gave visitors a fantastic day of activities, demonstrations and displays which were packed with fun and enjoyment and demonstrated some of the skills our fantastic students have. Visitors told me they were amazed at the experience. An important part of our mission is to reconnect people with the countryside and food production and to showcase the science and technology involved in our great industry. This excellent event certainly achieved that.
“It would be impossible to run this highly successful event without the huge effort and contribution from all staff and students. It is this positive and welcoming approach that makes Reaseheath the wonderful college that it is, and I am very proud to be part of the team.”
Lead image caption: Neela Casey, 5 meets our Golden Guernsey goats at the zoo
